Rail freight as a sustainable and economically productive alternative to trucking, says the author. | AP photo
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Our federal transportation policy also needs to make it easier — not harder — for Americans to get to work. The federal government must help the states and local governments bearing the brunt of the economic downturn to reverse the decline of their mass-transit systems.

Despite unprecedented transit demand, cash-strapped state and local governments have significantly reduced transit funding as revenues have declined. This has forced transit agencies to cut service, raise fares or both — regressive measures that only further burden the increasing number of Americans who rely on mass transit. In addition, many transit agencies have greatly reduced, or eliminated, investment in their capital plans — a policy that, if not reversed in a short time, can only lead to disaster and collapse.

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Finally, if we want to increase the efficiency of transporting goods, to support sustainability and environmentally friendly modes of transportation and to reduce the numbers of polluting trucks on our roads, then we have to get serious about supporting rail freight.

The basics are impressive. Rail freight costs less, both for business and consumers. It’s cleaner and less noxious environmentally. It’s three times as energy efficient per ton-mile as trucks. It’s a tremendous boon to regional economic development. And it’s faster.

Any truly comprehensive and forward-looking transportation reauthorization bill should prioritize rail freight as a sustainable and economically productive alternative to trucking. This is particularly true in intermodal regions — with container shipping, rail and trucks — in which rail freight can both serve local markets and move goods across the nation.

Moreover, we should invest in infrastructure because it is a powerful tool for creating jobs. The Department of Transportation has found that 47,500 jobs are created or saved for every $1 billion in federal infrastructure investments. Putting Americans to work in such jobs is what extricated our nation from the Great Depression and other trying times — and we can do the same today. We simply cannot afford to continue with the status quo by rejecting thousands of decent jobs for Americans at a time when we have 9 percent unemployment.

Every stage of American prosperity and growth has followed federal investment in infrastructure. From Henry Clay’s “American System” to Abraham Lincoln’s “Internal Improvements” and Trans-Continental Railroad to Dwight Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway System, the federal government has financed the nation’s major infrastructure growth and enabled our economic development.

If America is to lead the world economy in the 21st century, it will require a modern infrastructure capable of promoting and sustaining economic growth. And it will be built not by happenstance but only through the leadership and investment of the federal government, as in the past.

If we choose not to make the investments necessary to lead the world, there will be no shortage of countries ready and willing to take our place.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

They waste far too much and expect the taxpayer to make up for it. Take a hike, Nadler.

Maybe if they hadn't wasted almost a TRILLION $ on the so-called 'stimulus' plan he would have some place to start. Get rid of the NEA and DOE, etc....... then maybe you can find some transportation $$ to play with.

If passenger rail is was profitable and so desirable it would not have died off 50 years ago. Borrowing and Taxing Billions to fund a financial disaster may make sense to Politicians but not to people who actually have to live on a budget.